This article contains frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding Power Computing, with answers to those questions.

This article was deemed accurate as of 14 November 1997. Apple Computer, Inc. is not responsible for its content. This article is being provided as is and will not be updated in the future.

Questions answered in this article:

1. What processor type and speeds are available with the new PowerBase product family?

2. What is the main logic board bus speed?

3. Is PowerBase CPU upgradeable?
4. What are the expansion capabilities of PowerBase?
5. Does PowerBase include a Level-2 cache card?
6. Can you give me detailed information about the system RAM in PowerBase?
7. What about SCSI support?
8. What are the video capabilities of PowerBase?
9. What are the networking features for PowerBase systems?
10. How many drive bays does PowerBase have?
11. What is the base configuration for each system?
12. What software comes bundled with PowerBase?
13. Do PowerBase systems ship with a keyboard and mouse?
14. What is the warranty on PowerBase?
15. Do you offer a DOS Card for PowerBase?
16. Does PowerBase have any AV capabilities?
17. What type of audio connections does PowerBase include?
18. Will there be AV and Office configurations of PowerBase?
19. How does the PowerPC 603ev compare to the PowerPC 604?

Question 1: What processor type and speeds are available with the new PowerBase product family?

Answer : The PowerBase product family is designed with the PowerPC 603ev microprocessor running at 180MHz, 200MHz and 240MHz.

Question 2 : What is the main logic board bus speed?

Answer : All PowerBase systems have a main logic board bus speed of 40MHz.

Question 3 : Is PowerBase CPU upgradeable?

Answer : Yes. PowerBase has a socketed CPU expansion card which can be upgraded.

In order for the Alchemy architecture (upon which PowerBase is built) to be upgradeable to a PowerPC 604, a ROM change would be required from Apple. As a result, it is highly unlikely that PowerBase will be upgradeable to a PowerPC 604 processor. However, there will be faster PowerPC 603 processors available in the future.

Question 4 : What are the expansion capabilities of PowerBase?

Answer : All PowerBase systems have three fast PCI expansion slots and three DIMM slots.

Question 5 : Does PowerBase include a Level-2 cache card?

Answer: Yes. All PowerBase systems include a 256K Level-2 cache.

Question 6 : Can you give me detailed information about the system RAM in PowerBase?

Answer : PowerBase has three DIMM slots. The first slot must be populated at all times and cannot handle more than a 32MB DIMM. The second and third slots can take up to 64MB DIMMs.

EDO DIMMs are required with PowerBase.

PowerBase does not support interleaved memory.

Question 7 : What about SCSI support?

Answer : PowerBase includes a single-channel SCSI interface for both internal and external drives. It operates at up to 5MB/sec.

Question 8 : What are the video capabilities of PowerBase?

Answer : PowerBase systems will come in 2MB or 4MB of VRAM configurations. The video circuitry is built into the upgradeable PCI riser card, which allows for future expansion.

Question 9 : What are the networking features for PowerBase systems?

Answer : PowerBase includes two high-speed serial ports for LocalTalk, modem, printers or other devices.

There is no built-in ethernet on the PowerBase However, Power Computing does offer the 10BT and 10B100 ethernet PCI cards from Asante.

Question 10 : How many drive bays does PowerBase have?

Answer : Low Profile: One front accessible 5 1/4" bay for 8x CD-ROM; one front accessible 3 1/2" bay for floppy drive; one internal 3 1/2" bay for one full-size or two half-size drives.

Mini-Tower: Three front accessible 5 1/4" bays, one for 8x CD-ROM; one front accessible 3 1/2" bay for internal floppy drive; one internal 3 1/2" bay for one full-size or two half-size drives.

Question 11 : What is the base configuration for each system?

Answer : Each PowerBase system comes with 16MB RAM, a 1.2GB IDE hard drive, 8x CD-ROM, and a 256K Level-2 Cache.

Question 12 : What software comes bundled with PowerBase?

Answer : ClarisWorks, Quicken SE, Nisus Writer (trial), Now Contact, Now Up-to-Date, 250 Bitstream Fonts, FWB Hard Disk ToolKit, FWB CD-ROM ToolKit, America Online (trial), Compuserve (trial), Grollier's Multimedia Encyclopedia.

Question 13 : Do PowerBase systems ship with a keyboard and mouse?

Answer : Yes. PowerBase ships with an extended keyboard and mouse.

Question 14 : What is the warranty on PowerBase?

Answer : As with all Power Computing products, users receive a 30-day money back guarantee, one year limited warranty, and lifetime toll-free technical support. Extended on-site service plans are available for an additional charge.

Question 15 : Do you offer a DOS Card for PowerBase?

Answer : No.

Question 16 : Does PowerBase have any AV capabilities?

Answer : PowerBase does not include on-board AV as our research showed that many people do not care about such functionality and do not want to pay for it. However, many solutions are available from third-party vendors.

Question 17 : What type of audio connections does PowerBase include?

Answer : PowerBase has mini-jack connections. They support CD quality, 16-bit stereo 44.1 KHz sample rate, in and out.

Question 18 : Will there be AV and Office configurations of PowerBase?

Answer : Yes, but no details are available at this time.

Question 19 : How does the PowerPC 603ev compare to the PowerPC 604?

Answer : A PowerPC 603ev running at 180MHz is about the same speed as a PowerPC 604 running at 120MHz. Likewise, a PowerPC 603ev running at 240MHz is about the same speed as a PowerPC 604 running at 160MHz.